A reliable European journalist dished to me that Naomi Campbell recently compared Moscow in 2011, with its glittery, burgeoning, over-the-top fashion and
nightlife scenes, to the decadence of 1980s Manhattan.

So it's no wonder that Italian fashion house Max Mara chose to switch things up and celebrate its 60th anniversary with the gala opening of the label's retrospective "Coats!" exhibition at Moscow's State Historical Museum. Very apropos considering not only that the coat is the company's signature piece, but that outerwear is an integral part of any Russian fashionista's wardrobe.

Twenty years into the post-Soviet era, the city is still experiencing a style evolution, embracing international labels at a rapid pace. It was going to be fascinating to see this juxtaposed with Max Mara (which now has a substantial Russian fan base), with its rich and historically fashion-forward Italian heritage.

I was greeted at the airport at 10 a.m. by a Russian Max Mara intern decked out in a cocktail dress, blazer, and spiky heels; I quickly learned appearance is taken very seriously in the country and being overdressed is the norm (something I've been used to since I was a child—thanks, Mom). "Russian women are strong and glamorous and like to be the center of everyone's attention," Kristina explains. "They like shiny things, diamonds, and fur."

Although more demure than dripping with diamonds, this now-New Yorker attributes her knack for style to her homeland. "I dress more feminine than
most American girls. I feel more beautiful in dresses and heels—that's thanks to my Russian roots," says Kristina, who owes her poise to years of ballet training.

From the Imperial jewels in the Kremlin to the famed Bolshoi Theatre to the whimsical onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral to a whole lot of caviar,
the excessive glamour of Moscow was hard to resist. And once the sun went down, MTV Russia VJ Artem Korolev took us to the hottest places in town, like café turned dance club Dandy.

But the Moscow visit would not have been complete without a proper Russian gala (singing gypsies and all) to help kick off "Coats!" The exhibit (accompanied by a new edition of a book by the same name) features nearly 70 rare coats by former Max Mara designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana, and Narciso Rodriguez, along with archival sketches and photographs from the likes
of Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon, and Peter Lindbergh.

"I love Max Mara coats. They're simple but exquisite," says Kristina as we saunter through the very concise exhibit. "It's interesting to see how the
company and its designs have evolved year after year but still hold true to tradition"—something that seems to make Russia just as special.